EcoXplorer is a founding member of Living on the Cheap, a network of websites published by professional journalists and consumer advocates. Find practical advice on saving money on travel and cars, groceries and shopping, plus tips from our experts on how to live the good life for less at Living on the Cheap.

ecoXplorer is your award-winning guide to green travel, green cars, and saving the green in your wallet on both.

ecoXplorer is edited by Evelyn Kanter, a professional journalist with more than two decades of experience as magazine and newspaper writer and photographer, radio and television news producer and reporter, and guidebook author and editor -- all focusing on travel, automotive, lifestyle, the environment, and your rights as a consumer.

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Best Websites to Save Money on Your Car

Gas prices are down substantially from last year, and you can buy  great new car for under $20,000, but owning and maintaining a vehicle is still expensive.  These websites will help you save green — dollars, that is — with whatever you drive.

Repairs — Check Repairpal.com to find out what the job should [...]

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Holiday Driving Safety 101 Starts in the Driveway

(c) Evelyn Kanter photo

It’s safety first for any holiday driving, including this long Fourth of July weekend.  Every family road trip should start with a ten minute check of the car in the driveway to give you peace of mind on the road ahead.  Ten minutes now can save you headaches, time [...]

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Travel to the Gulf Coast Now Despite the Oil Spill

Despite the BP oil spill, the worst environmental disaster in US history, most beaches along the Gulf of Mexico remain open and ready for visitors.  One of the best ways you can help resort communities in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and  Florida is to travel there and spend your money in the local, family-owned  restaurants, [...]

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Most Stolen Cars in USA

1994 Honda Accord is most-stolen vehicle

An estimated 2,650 cars are stolen each and every day in the USA.  That equals about one car, SUV, minivan or pick-up truck stolen every 33 seconds.  So, in the time it takes you to read this article, two vehicles could have been stolen.  Or three, depending on how quickly you read.

It’s [...]

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Guestroom Amenities Get New Life

Crystal Cruises recycles unused soap, shampoo

It always breaks my heart to leave behind soap and other bathroom amenities that I used only a couple of times, knowing they will be thrown out by housekeeping.  I’ve been wishing for years somebody could figure out a way to recycle them.  Somebody has.

Non-profit foundation Clean the World [...]

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New iPhone App for Car Shopping

2010 Lexus HS250h hybrid luxury sedan

More of us car shoppers are researching 2010 and 2011 models from our mobile phones.  The website Cars.com, which launched a mobile site in 2007, reports a surge in mobile shopping activity since the launch of its iPhone car shopping app in February.

As much as 10 percent of Cars.com’s traffic now [...]

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World's Ten Best Airports are in Asia and Europe

Singapore rated as world's best airport

Singapore has world's best airport

The world’s top ten airports are all in Asia and Europe.   The annual survey by World Airport Awards by Skytrax puts the Singapore Changi Airport at the top of the list of 210 international airports for overall excellence. 

 The top rated airport in North America is Vancouver International Airport, which came in as number 11 worldwide.   San Francisco and Denver were rated as having the second and third best airports in North America. 

The ratings are based on many factors, including best airport dining,  shopping, even bathrooms.  So who won what?

Hong Kong International Airport won top awards both for best airport dining and best washrooms.  Do you think the two are related? 

ContinentalMagazine_BavariaCover_april2010Singapore was top-rated also for best airport leisure amenities, but  I don’t  agree.  The Munich Airport came in third, but it gets my on personal  vote for its top-rated airport brewery, Airbrau, the first in the world, with live music and an indoor-outdoor beer garden.   I happen to be partial to Munich – my mother’s side of the family is from Bavaria, and I invite you to read the article I wrote on the cars, food and historic towns of Bavaria for Continental Airlines Magazine, the cover article of the April 2010 issue.

Best baggage delivery: the ever-efficient Swiss, at the Zurich Airport

Skytrax also reviews individual airlines for service and amenities.

The complete list of world’s top ten airports is on the next page:

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Chrysler Recalls 335,000 Minivans

Chrysler Town & Country

Chrysler is recalling 335,000 minivans for possible problems with the airbag system.  The recall affects 2005 and 2006 Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Caravan and Grand Caravan vehicles. 

 The reason –  the front crash sensors can crack in cold weather conditons and allow water to get into the sensor.  That could turn on the airbag warning [...]

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